Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar is the modern capital of Odisha in independent India. It is known as "Temple Metropolis of India". The temples of Bhubaneshwar bear witness to the comprehensive history of the Orissan style of temple architecture. Bhubaneshwar is known for its architecture and ancient temples.

Bhubaneshwar is located in the Khordha District of Odisha.

The history of Bhubaneshwar can be traced back to 2000 years. Emperor Kharavela established his capital in Sisupalgarh, which is located on the periphery of the city. The inscriptions on "Udaygiri Caves" and "Khandagiri Caves" bear evidence to the antiquity of the place. Its many temples, displaying every phase of Orissan architecture were built in the 7th-16th century. It was in the 11th Century that the Lingaraj Temple of old Bhubaneshwar was built.

Just 8km from Bhubaneshwar is situated Dhauli, the plains that bore witness to the gruesome war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. It was here that King Ashoka, full of remorse after the Kalinga War in 261 BC, renounced his ferocious war and turned to Buddhism. Ashoka erected 2 main edicts in Kalinga, one in Dhauli and the other in Jayagarh.

Bhubaneshwar is located in the eastern coastal plains of Odishaon the banks of river Mahanadi. Bhubaneshwar is situated at an altitude of 45m above sea level. The average temperatures range between 15 degree Centigrade in the winter and a maximum of 40 to 45 degree Centigrade in the summer. The average rainfall is 150 cm. It is in June that the city faces southeast monsoons.

As per the 2011 census of India, Bhubaneshwar had a population of 837,737 of which the number of males was 445,233 and females was 392,504. The effective male literacy was 95.69 %, while female literacy was 90.26 %. The average literacy rate is 93.15 % which is higher than the national average of 74.04 %. About 75,237 were under six. The main language spoken in the city is Oriya; however, Hindi and English are understood by most residents.

The cultural heritage is magnificent and people are proud of their culture and heritage. The culture includes the Odissi dance form which is world famous and is well admired as well. Around 7000 temples depict the culture and the history of Bhubaneshwar that has seen times since 2000 years. The people here speak Oriya and bears resembles to the Bengali and Assamese language. Seafood and sweets form a major part Oriya culture.

Bhubaneshwar, in Orissa is an ancient site of architectural monuments which sweep human imagination in admiration and wonder. It is quite in the fitness of things that this ancient capital of Orissan Kings under whose lavish patronage these wonder temples were erected here, is going to be the new metropolis of Orissa. In a decade this deserted and desolate site bearing testimony to the old glory will grow up into an ideal modern town as the administrative seat of Orissa. The major creations of architecture in Bhubaneshwar are mainly the Hindu temples. A unique feature of Bhubaneshwar`s architecture is the numerous statues of gods and scooped-out decorations sculpted on stone.

This site still possesses some ancient shrines in their pristine glory besides the relics of some others, either desecrated or worn out by ravages of time. These monuments have been divided chronologically by scholars and have been assigned the period between circa middle of 8th Century A.D, to circa middle of 13th Century A.D., thus covering a period of incessant artistic and architectural creations in this part of India. The finest specimen of this architectural craftsmanship is the famous Lingaraja temple, standing in height and magnificence as the most marvellous monument of this belt. Besides, these are the shrines of Kapilesvara, Brahmesvara, Parasuramesvara, Ananta Vasudeva, Vaital (Lankesvari), Muktesvara, Siddhesvara, and Kedaresvara which are still standing in their old magnificence.

The temples of Bhubaneshwar from the early days reflect the style of Hindu temples when they were emerging. Temples in the basic style of the early period were very simple with only the garbhagriha and the shikhara over it. Later the mandapa was added. The vimana or the main icon-sanctuary is an elaborate structure of rock-out paraphernalia of a tapering type. The superstructure is from without a huge mass of rock that has been given a rhythmic form with the chisel by the Orissan sthapatis (architects and sculptors). The bada or the ground-plan is often a square and fiat surface like a quadrangular veranda running around the vimana. Next is the pida or the first structure on which the whole gigantic super-structure is rested and which contains carvings of figures all around.

The Bhubaneshwar temple is rich in decorations and the iconographic studies are an interesting one. The main icon in the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is always a Linga but in the Bhubaneshwar Linga two religious cults meet. The Linga is always the representation of a two icon deity called Haridhara of which we shall have occasion to speak below. The outside decorations and the iconographic specimens are varied and not only are the main deities of the Hindu pantheon represented in bold relief but there are also male and female figures, epic-representations, naganaginis and profuse floral or ornamental decorations.

Bhubaneshwar has also witnessed some post independent architectural creations. The Oberoi Hotel is located to the north of the city and was built in the year 1983. It is designed like a monastery with square rooms and enclosed corridors, surrounding a pool. It is highly influenced by traditional Indian architecture.

Bhubaneshwar forms a vital part of the Golden Triangle formed between the Jagannath temple of Puri and the Sun temple of Konark. From the 8th to the 13th century, 7000 or more temples were constructed of sandstone and thus there was a development in the stone construction. Shantistupa is another historical monument which was erected by Ashoka the Great. It is a symbol of peace and thus completes the golden triangle.

Lingaraja Temple : The largest Hindu shrine in Bhubaneswar, Lingaraja Temple, in its present form, dates back to the 11th century. The temple complex has four main sections, namely Vimana (sanctum), Jagamohana (hall of assembly), Natamandira (hall of events) and Bhoga Mandapa (hall of offerings). All these are arranged in a straight line, and each has a tower, higher than the one preceding it. The main feature of the complex is its almost 148-feet high sanctum tower, every bit of which carries ornate sculpting. Not only the tower, but the walls of Bhoga Mandapa also contain sculptures.

Mukteswara Temple : Another notable temple in the city of Bhubaneshwar is the Mukteswara temple. It is also called the `Gem of Odisha Architecture`. This temple belongs to the 10th century and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Mukteshwara temple is famous for its magnificent work in Kalingan style of architecture with a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain features. The temple is also well-known since it was constructed during the phase of transition of early and late school of architecture of Kalinga. The temple presents a magnificent gateway or `torana` which is brilliantly designed with sculptures of monkeys, female figurines, peacocks, etc. Different ascetic figures in meditative pose are also engraved on the walls of the temple.

Jagannath Temple : Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the Char Dhams. It is thought to have originally been a Jain shrine. The temple complex, measuring a whopping 400000 sq feet has all the elements of a regional Kalinga architectural shrine, i.e. Vimana, Jagamohana, Natamandira and Bhoga Mandapa. Every year in June-July, the temple hosts the famous Rath Yatra, wherein huge wooden chariots are pulled by devotees. The holy sight of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Subhadra and Balabhadra raises loads of joy among the devotees. The structural design of the temple is in pyramid shape and consists of four entrance gates, named as Singhadwara, Ashwadwara, Hathidwara and Vyaghradwara referring to lion, horse, elephant and tiger.

Rajarani Temple : The Rajarani temple belongs to the 11th century. It is known for its stone figures and the successive tiers of projections which arise to make the 18 meter tower. The miniature replicas decorate the spire, which are similar to those in the Khajuraho temples. The major highlight of this temple is the beautiful sculptures of dikpalas or guardians of the eight directions engraved around the shrine. Decorated in diaphanous drapery, these dikpalas stand on lotuses, having their mounts beneath. From the eastern portion, one can see Indra with a thunderbolt in his hand and an elephant, the beared Lord Agni, God of fire with the Ram and Lord Yama with a noose and a staff.

There is Nirriti, the God of misery bearing a sword and a severed head, Lord Varuna, having a noose, and his vehicle as makara, Vayu, with a banner and a deer as his vehicle, and Kubera is placed at the top of seven jars of gems, and possesses a horse. Another figure of Isana is displayed with an upright phallus alongside an emaciated figure.

Konark Sun Temple : The Konark Sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya and conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels, it is the most famous of the few sun temples built in India. It is located about 35 km northeast of the city of Puri on the coastline in the state of Odisha. It was built in 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty (8th century CE - 15th century CE). Although many portions are now in ruins, what remains of the temple complex continues to draw not only tourists but also Hindu pilgrims.

Parashurameshwar Temple : The evidence of Parashurameshwar Temple being constructed much earlier than the two above-mentioned shrines is evident in its even smaller size and rather primitive carvings. Large parts of its Jagamohana (assembly hall) are bereft of decorative elements. This is said to be the first shrine in the region to have an additional structure (assembly hall) other than the Vimana-topped sanctum.

Ananta Vasudeva Temple : While most of the temples in the city are associated with the Shaiva sect, Ananta Vasudeva Temple is associated with the Vaishnava sect, reflecting that by the time it was constructed (13th century), Vaishnava deities had been assimilated in the otherwise dominantly Shaiva culture. Another way in which it is different from other shrines is that, it has three structures, whereas others have either two or four.

Bhaskareshwar Temple : Bhaskareswar Temple looks unfinished as it has just one structure on a raised plinth. The reason for this might be, it was earlier a Buddhist site which was modified and converted into a temple. Another reason might be it is rather unadorned in terms of carvings. Its main attraction is its Shiva Linga, which is almost 9 feet high.

Chausathi Jogini Temple : Located just outside the city, Chausathi Jogini Temple stands in stark contrast to a Hindu temple. Built in a circular fashion with no roof, it is associated with the Tantric cult, rather than mainstream Hinduism, bearing a similarity to Druid temples, such as the Stonehenge in England. Inside the temple, 56 idols of various forms of Goddess Kali are kept in niches in the wall.

Brahmeshwar Temple : Brahmeshwar Temple is said to be built by Kolavati Devi during the reign of her son, Udyotakesari, in AD 1058-1060. Brahmeswara Temple is built according to the Panchatanaya plan, which means that there are four smaller shrines flanking the primary temple on each cardinal direction. Images of musicians and dancers appear on it for the first time, hinting at the continuous evolution in regional architecture. Reportedly, this was also among the first shrines, the construction of which included iron beams.

Baitala Deula : Baitala Deula was built in the 8th century that makes it one of the oldest Hindu shrines in Bhubaneswar. It is again a bit unusual. Its temple tower is slightly pyramidal in shape, rather than cylindrical. This and the three spires on its top take it closer to being a South Indian Dravidian temple. The four vertices of its Jagamohana house four smaller temples as well, complete with their Vimana.

Besides the temples, Bhubaneshwar also house several contemporary monuments. Thus this city in Odisha offers a homogeneous mixture of its modern day aspirations and the intriguing past.

Bhubaneshwar is a great religious place that house around 500 temples like the "Lingaraj Temple", "Parashurameswar Temple", "Mukteshwara Temple" etc. The place including Konark and Puri form a holy "Golden Triangle" that is a favorite among the tourists in the eastern part of India. The largest rose garden is another attraction at Bhubaneshwar. The 46m high "Lingaraj Temple" marks the zenith of temple tradition of Bhubaneshwar. It is also an important pilgrimage centre of Hindus who visit the place at least once in their life time. Hundreds of temples can be seen here that are standing since ancient times and boasts of its rich culture and heritage. To the east of Bhubaneshwar are situated the famous "Sun Temple" of Konark and the "Jagannath Temple" of Puri.